System to manage automated prize value accumulation and distribution

ABSTRACT

A system to manage prize accumulation and distribution includes an interface to receive publication data from a publishing user. The publication data is to be published by the computer system. The interface further receives a prize contribution value, at the computer system and from the publishing user, in exchange for the presentation of an opportunity to win a cumulative prize. The opportunity to win the cumulative prize is to be presented by the computer system in conjunction with the publication of the publication data. A publication module is to electronically publish the publication data on behalf of the publishing user, and is to electronically present the opportunity to win the cumulative prize in conjunction with the publication of the publication data. A prize processing module is to calculate a value of the cumulative prize, based on a cumulative contribution of prize contribution values received from a plurality of publishing users.

FIELD

This application relates to a computer-implemented computer-implementedmethod and computer-based system to automate a prize value accumulationand distribution.

BACKGROUND

The Internet abounds with competitions and prize schemes, wherebyInternet users are afforded the opportunity to win a prize forperforming a certain action, or in return for a payment. Some websitesprovide free games (after registration) that offer the opportunity towin prizes. Examples of such websites include iwinweekly.com, andiwon.com.

ePrize LLC offers a Pooled eDrawings^(SM) tool that allows companies tooffer a targeted $50,000.00 prize each 90-days without paying for thefull prize total. Many companies participate in the pool, but there isonly one grand prize winner per quarter. The winning promotion israndomly selected each quarter from among participating companies, and a“Grand Prize” winner is randomly selected from that company's entrants.

It is also now possible to participate in many lotteries (e.g., local,state and national lotteries in Europe, Australia, Latin America andAsia) via the Internet. GTech Corporation, for example, administers alarge number of online lotteries, and has developed certain technologiesin this regard. Such lotteries are typically run by large organizations(e.g., governments) and are funded by the purchase of tickets bypotential winners. The lottery prize can be a fixed percentage ofreceipts, with the organizers promising that the prize will be, forexample, 50% of revenue. It will be accordingly appreciated that thesize of the prize in lotteries often is dependent upon the popularity ofthe lottery, and the number of lottery tickets that can be sold. Theability of small organizations to participate in the running oflotteries has to date been hampered by their inability to attract asufficient number of participants, to provide the required degree oforganizational and financial confidence to potential lotteryparticipants, and also the technical challenges that are posed inmanaging a lottery of any notable size. Dealing specifically with thetechnical challenges, the processing of the purchase of lottery tickets,the communication of information regarding the lottery (e.g., the totallottery prize), and also the distribution of lottery winnings allpresent a number of technical challenges. For example, the manualprocessing of lottery tickets, either purchased in person or online,presents a number of communication and processing technical challenges.

Further, Internet-based prize systems have to date typically operated asstandalone systems. The integration of such prize systems with othersystems also presents a number of technical hurdles.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided acomputer-implemented method and a system to manage prize accumulationand distribution. An interface receives publication data at a computersystem from a publishing user. The publication data is to be publishedby the computer system. The interface further receives a prizecontribution value, at the computer system and from the publishing user,in exchange for the presentation of an opportunity to win a prize. Theopportunity to win the cumulative prize is to be presented by thecomputer system in conjunction with the publication of the publicationdata. A publication module is to electronically publish the publicationdata on behalf of the publishing user, and is to electronically presentthe opportunity to win the cumulative prize in conjunction with thepublication of the publication data.

Other features of the present invention will be apparent from theaccompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and notlimitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which likereferences indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a system to manage automatedprize accumulation and distribution, according to an example embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment including apublication system, in an example form of a commerce system, and aconnected prize system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the application layerarchitecture of a system, according to an example embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is an entity-relationship diagram illustrating tables that may bemaintained by a system, according to an example embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a computer-implemented method,according to an example embodiment of the present invention, to receivepublication data and an associated publication fee, and a prize opt-inindication and an associated prize contribution fee, and to allocate thereceived fees.

FIG. 6 is a user interface diagram illustrating a series of userinterfaces, according to an example embodiment of the present invention,to receive the publication data, a prize opt-in indication, andassociated fees.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a computer-implemented method,according to an example embodiment of the present invention, to presentsearch results, which visually distinguish between publication data forwhich a prize opt-in indication has been received, and publication datafor which no such indication has been received.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a computer-implemented method,according to an example embodiment of the present invention, toelectronically publish publication data on behalf of a publishing user,and to present a prize opportunity in conjunction with the publicationof such publication data.

FIG. 9 illustrates a series of user interfaces, according to an exampleembodiment of the present invention, to present search results, and topublish publication data in conjunction with a prize opportunity.

FIG. 10 shows a series of user interfaces, according to an exampleembodiment of the present invention, to communicate a prize win event,and also to communicate a distribution of a prize to a viewing user.

FIG. 11 illustrates a user interface, according to a further exampleembodiment of the present invention, to present search results.

FIG. 12 shows a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the exampleform of a computer system within which a set of instructions, forcausing the machine to perform any one or more of thecomputer-implemented methodologies discussed herein, may be executed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of an embodiment of the present invention. It will beevident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present inventionmay be practiced without these specific details.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a system andcomputer-implemented method to manage the publication of data(publication data) in conjunction with automated prize accumulation anddistribution, according to an example embodiment of the presentinvention. In the example embodiment, automated prize accumulation anddistribution is performed in association with the publication of thedata in order to incentivize potential consumers of the publication datato perform one or more actions with respect to the publication data(e.g., to read the publication data or to transact with respect to goodsand/or services described by the publication data). A network-basedsystem 10 includes an interface 16 via which publishing users 12 andviewing users 14 can interact with the network-based system 10.Specifically, the interface 16 may allow the network-based system 10 toreceive publication data from the publishing users 12, the publicationdata to be published via the network-based system 10. To this end, thenetwork-based system 10 includes a publication module 18 which operatesto electronically publish the publication data on behalf of thepublishing users 12.

The interface 16 also allows the network-based system 10 to receive apublication value, in the example form of a publication fee 22 inconsideration (or exchange) for the publication of the publication databy the network-based system 10. The publication fee 22, in one exampleembodiment, is processed by the network-based system 10 and allocated toa publisher 24, which operates at least the publication module 18 of thenetwork-based system 10. The allocation of the publication fee 22 to thepublisher 24 may again be performed via the interface 16 of thenetwork-based system 10. For example, the interface 16 may allow thenetwork-based system 10 to couple to a financial institution at whichthe publisher 24 holds an account.

The network-based system 10 also includes a prize processing module 20that is communicatively coupled to the publication module 18. The prizeprocessing module 20 performs various functions to manage and automatethe accumulation and distribution of a prize 30. In the variousembodiments, the prize may be a cash prize, an asset prize (e.g., motorvehicle), or a “points” prize (e.g., points that are issued by thenetwork-based system 10, and that are redeemable for transactions thatare performed via the network-based system 10). In the exampleembodiment in which a “points” prize is awarded, the awarded points maybe funded through the contributions of users of the network-based system10.

Further, while the prize 30 is described in one example embodiment asbeing a “cumulative” prize, funded by the contributions of users thathave opted-in to a prize scheme, it should be appreciated that the prize30 could be a value funded from a single source (e.g., an operator ofsystem 10).

The prize processing module 20 may furthermore communicate with thepublication module 18, so as to enable the publication module 18electronically to present opportunities to win the prize 30, inassociation with the publication of publication data.

The interface 16 of the network-based system 10 is further to receiveprize contribution values, in the example form of prize opt-in fees 26,from publishing users. In the example embodiment, a prize contributionfee is received from a publishing user 12, via the interface 16. Theprize processing module 20, in exchange for the prize contributionvalues, causes presentation by the publication module 18 of anopportunity to win the prize 30 in association with the publication ofdata.

The prize processing module 20 also operates to calculate a value of theprize 30, based on the cumulative contribution of prize opt-in fees 26received from participating publishing users 12. To this end, the prizeprocessing module 20 may allocate a first portion 28 of the prize opt-infee 26 to a cumulative value of the prize 30, and may allocate a secondportion 32 of the prize opt-in fee 26 to a prize scheme operator, forexample in the form a sweepstakes operator 33 where the prize 30comprises a sweepstakes payout.

The prize processing module 20 also operates to automatically determinewhen a viewing user 14 has won the prize 30, and is to automaticallyallocate a first portion 34 of the prize 30 to the winning user 14, andto allocate a second portion 36 of the prize 30 to a publishing user 12.The second portion 36 of the prize 30 is allocated to the publishinguser 14 whose publication data was displayed in association with theprize winning opportunity that resulted in a prize winning event.

From the above, it will be appreciated that the prize processing module20 is responsible for receiving, from each participating publishing user12, a prize opt-in fee 26. Accordingly, the prize processing module 20identifies to the publication module 18 which publication data should bepublished in association with an opportunity to win the prize 30. In oneembodiment, a publishing user 12 may also wish to stipulate one or moreconditions under which the publication module 18 is to electronicallypresent an opportunity to win the prize 30 to a viewing user 14.Accordingly, the interface 16 allows the network-based system 10 toreceive such conditions (e.g., expressed as criteria). For example, whenthe network-based system 10 operates as a commerce system, theconditions may pertain to a manner in which a viewing user 14 transactsto purchase an item described by relevant publication data. Theconditions may, for example, also pertain to a qualification of aviewing user 14. For example, an opportunity to win the prize 30 mayonly be presented to viewing users 14 that qualify to receive such anopportunity, such qualification being determined by the conditionsspecified by a publishing user 12.

The conditions may also stipulate that the opportunity to win the prize30 only be presented during certain hours, or during predetermined timeperiods (e.g., during traditionally “slow” trading hours, at peak times,or contemporaneously with another event (e.g., the Super Bowl)).

The network-based system 10 also publishes the publication data, onbehalf of a publishing user 12, to one or more viewing users 14 via theinterface 16. The publication data may be any one of a number ofdifferent types of data, such as a listing for goods or services thatthe publishing user 12 is seeking to transact, an email communicationthat a publishing user 12 wishes to publish to one or more viewing users14, or an article or other journalistic publication that a publishinguser 12 wishes to present to one or more viewing users 14. Thepublication module 18 may also publish the publication data in any oneof a number of ways. For example, the publication may be a “push”publication (e.g., an email, an instant message (IM), an RSS feed etc.),or a “pull” communication (e.g., an HTML page or downloaded document(e.g., Word document, PDF document)).

While the prize 30 is described herein as being a cash prize, it will ofcourse be appreciated that the prize could also be a non-cash prize(e.g., goods, such as a motor vehicle). In one embodiment, the prizewinning process is a sweepstakes lottery. However, in other embodiments,the prize scheme could comprise an “instant win” type scheme, whereby aviewing user 14 can immediately exercise a prize-winning opportunitypresented by the network-based system 10 to determine whether or not theprize 30 has been won.

From FIG. 1, it will be appreciated that technical interaction of thepublication module 18 and the prize processing module 20, whereby theprize processing module 20 identifies publication data to be associatedwith a prize-winning opportunity and also identifies conditions for thepresentation of that prize-winning opportunity to the publication module18, presents a technically efficient system, while also allowing thepublication module 18 to operate independently to publish data.

Further, the prize processing module 20, through the allocation of theprize 30 to a winning viewing user 14 and to a publishing user 12,incentivizes interactions by both the publishing users 12 and theviewing users 14 with the network-based system 10. For example,publishing users 12 are incentivized to publish data via thenetwork-based system 10, and also to opt-in to the prize-winningopportunities presented by the prize processing module 20, by theprospects of winning the second portion 36 of the prize 30. Similarly,viewing users 14 are incentivized to consume publication data (andoptionally to perform other actions with respect to the publicationdata) by the opportunity to win the prize 30, such an opportunitypotentially being presented in association with publication dataconsumed by the viewing user 14.

It will also be noted that the prize 30 is funded by respective firstportions 28 of prize opt-in fees 26 received from multiple publishingusers 12. Accordingly, the larger the number of publishing users 12 thatparticipate, the larger the prize. This may prove to be particularlyattractive to publishing users, as it allows a publishing user 12 topresent an opportunity to win a rather sizeable prize to consumers ofthe publishing user's data. At the same time, while offering theopportunity to viewing users 14 to win a relatively substantial prize,the cost to an individual publishing user 12 of participating isrelatively low, with the burden of funding the prize 30 being sharedamong a number of publishing users 12.

FIG. 1 also shows the publication module 18 and the prize processingmodule 20 forming part of one network-based system 10. However, in afurther embodiment of the present invention, the prize processing module20 may be operated by an entity other than the operator of thenetwork-based system 10 and/or the operator of the publication module18. For example, the prize processing module 20 may form a component ofa third party system, in which case the publication module 18 maycommunicate with the prize processing module 20 via the interface 16.For example, the interface 16 may be an Application Program Interface(API) via which the publication module 18 and the prize processingmodule 20, as operated by different entities, communicate. Certainfunctions that are described herein as being performed by the prizeprocessing module 20 may furthermore, in further embodiments, beperformed by the publication module 18.

FIG. 2 is a network diagram depicting a system 40, according to oneexample embodiment, having a client-server architecture, and in whichthe publication module 18 is embodied within a commerce system 42, whilethe prize processing module 20 is embodied in a prize system 64, each ofthe systems 42 and 64 being independent. Further details regarding thisexample implementation are provided below. However, it can be noted thatthe invention is not limited to an embodiment in which the publicationof the publication data is performed via a commerce system (e.g., suchas a network-based marketplace).

A publication system, in the example form of a commerce system 42,provides server-side functionality, via a network 44 (e.g., theInternet) to one or more clients. FIG. 2 illustrates, for example, a webclient 43 (e.g., a browser, such as the Internet Explorer browserdeveloped by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.), and aprogrammatic client 49 executing on respective client machines 50 and52.

Turning specifically to the commerce system 42, an Application ProgramInterface (API) server 45 and a web server 46 are coupled to, andprovide programmatic and web interfaces respectively to, one or moreapplication servers 48. The application servers 48 host one or morecommerce applications 54 (e.g., marketplace and payment applications).The application servers 48 are, in turn, shown to be coupled to one ormore database servers 56 that facilitate access to one or more databases58.

The applications 48 provide a number of commerce-related functions andservices to users that access the commerce system 42. For example,payment applications may provide a number of payment services andfunctions to users. Payment applications may allow users to quantifyfor, and accumulate, value (e.g., in a commercial currency, such as theU.S. dollar, or a proprietary currency, such as “points”) in accounts,and then later to redeem the accumulated value for products (e.g., goodsor services) that are made available via the commerce system 42. Whilethe applications 54 are shown in FIG. 2 to both form part of thecommerce system 42, it will be appreciated that, in alternativeembodiments, the payment applications may form part of a payment servicethat is separate and distinct from the commerce system 42.

Further, while the system 10 shown in FIG. 2 employs a client-serverarchitecture, the present invention is of course not limited to such anarchitecture, and could equally well find application in a distributed,or peer-to-peer, architecture system. The various applications 54 couldalso be implemented as standalone software programs, which do notnecessarily have networking capabilities.

The web client 43 accesses the applications 54 via the web interfacesupported by the web server 46. Similarly, the programmatic client 49accesses the various services and functions provided by the applications54 via the programmatic interface provided by the API server 45. Theprogrammatic client 49 may, for example, be a seller application (e.g.,the TurboLister application developed by eBay Inc., of San Jose, Calif.)to enable sellers to author and manage listings on the commerce system42 in an off-line manner, and to perform batch-mode communicationsbetween the programmatic client 49 and the commerce system 42.

FIG. 2 also illustrates a third party application 60, executing on athird party server machine 62, as having programmatic access to thecommerce system 42 via the programmatic interface provided by the APIserver 45. For example, the third party application 60 may, utilizinginformation retrieved from the commerce system 42, support one or morefeatures or functions on a website hosted, by the third party. The thirdparty website may, for example, provide one or more commerce-relatedfunctions that are supported by the relevant applications of thecommerce system 42.

The system 40 further includes the above-mentioned prize system 64,which includes one or more application servers 66 hosting a prizeprocessing module, in the exemplary form of the prize applications 68.Where the prize system 64 operates purely in conjunction with thecommerce system 42, it may perform part of the commerce system 42, ormay be communicatively coupled to the commerce system 42 throughappropriate interfaces. The prize system 64, in one embodiment, may alsooperate as a standalone prize system 64, which is capable of operatingindependently of the commerce system 42, as well as operating inconjunction or association with the commerce system 42. In thisembodiment, the prize system 64 may have a number of independentinterfaces, such as a programmatic interface 70 and a web interface 72through which it is accessible via the network 44. The applicationservers 66 may also optionally be supported by one or more databaseservers 74, which facilitate access to one or more dedicated databases76. In FIG. 2, the interfaces 70 and 72, the database servers 74 anddatabases 76 are shown in broken line to differentiate between theembodiments that are reflected in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an application layer 80, in oneexample embodiment, of the commerce system 42 and the prize system 64.The commerce system 42 may provide a number of publication (e.g.,listing) and price-setting mechanisms whereby a seller may list goods orservices for sale, a buyer can express interest in or indicate a desireto purchase such goods or services, and a price can be set for atransaction pertaining to the goods or services. The application layer80 is shown in FIG. 3 to be broadly categorized into commerceapplications 124, payment applications 126, and prize applications 128.

The commerce applications 124 include one or more auction applications83 which support auction-format listing and price setting mechanisms(e.g., English, Dutch, Vickrey, Chinese, Double, Reverse auctions etc.).The various auction applications 84 may also provide a number offeatures in support of such auction-format listings, such as a reserveprice feature whereby a seller may specify a reserve price in connectionwith a listing and a proxy-bidding feature whereby a bidder may invokeautomated proxy bidding.

A number of fixed-price applications 86 support fixed-price listingformats (e.g., the traditional classified advertisement-type listing ora catalogue listing) and buyout-type listings. Specifically, buyout-typelistings (e.g., including the Buy-It-Now (BIN) technology developed byeBay Inc., of San Jose, Calif.),may be offered in conjunction with anauction-format listing, and allow a buyer to purchase goods or services,which are also being offered for sale via an auction, for a fixed-pricethat is typically higher than the starting price of the auction.

Store applications 88 allow sellers to group their listings (or otherpublications) within a “virtual” store, which may be branded andotherwise personalized by and for the sellers. Such a virtual store mayalso offer promotions, incentives and features that are specific andpersonalized to a relevant seller.

Reputation applications 90 allow parties that transact utilizing thecommerce system 42 to establish, build and maintain reputations, whichmay be made available and published to potential trading partners.Consider that where, for example, the commerce system 42 supportsperson-to-person trading, users may have no history or other referenceinformation whereby the trustworthiness and credibility of potentialtrading partners may be assessed. The reputation applications 90 allow auser, for example through feedback provided by other transactionpartners, to establish a reputation within the commerce system 42 overtime. Other potential trading partners may then reference such areputation for the purposes of assessing credibility andtrustworthiness.

Personalization applications 92 allow users of the commerce system 42 topersonalize various aspects of their interactions with the commercesystem 42. For example a user may, utilizing an appropriatepersonalization application 92, create a personalized reference page atwhich information regarding transactions to which the user is (or hasbeen) a party may be viewed. Further, a personalization application 92may enable a user to personalize listings and other aspects of theirinteractions with the commerce system 42 and other parties.

In one embodiment, the commerce system 42 may support a number ofmarketplaces that are customized, for example, for specific geographicregions through the use of internationalization applications 94. Aversion of (or interface to) the commerce system 42 may be customizedfor the United Kingdom, whereas another version of (or interface to) ofthe commerce system 42 may be customized for the United States,utilizing the internationalization applications 94. Each of theseversions may operate as an independent marketplace, or may be customized(or internationalized) presentations of a common underlying marketplace.

Navigation of the commerce system 42 may be facilitated by one or morenavigation applications 96. For example, a search application enableskey word searches of listings published via the commerce system 42. Abrowse application allows users to browse various category, catalogue,or inventory data structures according to which listings may beclassified within the commerce system 42. Various other navigationapplications may be provided to supplement the search and browsingapplications.

In order to make listings (and other data published by the commercesystem 42) as visually informing and attractive as possible, theapplications 54 may include one or more imaging applications 98utilizing which users may upload images for inclusion within listings.An imaging application 98 also operates to incorporate images withinviewed listings. The imaging applications 98 may also support one ormore promotional features, such as image galleries that are presented topotential buyers. For example, sellers may pay an additional fee to havean image included within a gallery of images for promoted items.

Listing creation applications 100 allow sellers conveniently to authorlistings (or other publication data) pertaining to goods or servicesthat they wish to transact via the commerce system 42, and listingmanagement applications 102 allow sellers to manage such listings.Specifically, where a particular seller has authored and/or published alarge number of listings, the management of such listings may present achallenge. The listing management applications 102 provide a number offeatures (e.g., auto-relisting, inventory level monitors, etc.) toassist the seller in managing such listings. One or more post-listingmanagement applications 104 also assist sellers with activities thattypically occur post-listing. For example, upon completion of an auctionfacilitated by one or more auction applications 84, a seller may wish toleave feedback regarding a particular buyer. To this end, a post-listingmanagement application 104 may provide an interface to one or morereputation applications 90, so as to allow the seller conveniently toprovide feedback regarding multiple buyers to the reputationapplications 90.

Dispute resolution applications 106 provide mechanisms whereby disputesarising between transacting parties may be resolved. For example, thedispute resolution applications 106 may provide guided procedureswhereby the parties are guided through a number of steps in an attemptto settle a dispute. In the event that the dispute cannot be settled viathe guided procedures, the dispute may be escalated to a third partymediator or arbitrator.

A number of fraud prevention applications 108 implement various frauddetection and prevention mechanisms to reduce the occurrence of fraudwithin the commerce system 42.

Messaging applications 110 are responsible for the generation anddelivery of messages to users of the commerce system 42, such messagesfor example advising users regarding the status of listings at thecommerce system 42 (e.g., providing “outbid” notices to bidders duringan auction process or to provide promotional and merchandisinginformation to users).

The payment applications 126, which may form part of the commerce system42 or part of a separate payment system (not shown) include moneytransfer applications 112 to enable the transfer of value betweenaccounts held by different parties in order to effect payments, accountfunding applications 114 that enable, in one embodiment, users to fundaccounts that are maintained by the payment applications 126 fromexternal sources (e.g., from external accounts), and fraud preventionapplications 108 which institute a number of anti-fraud measures.

The prize applications 128, in the exemplary embodiment, may include oneor more sweepstakes applications 118, one or more instant winapplications 120, and lottery applications 122, each of which mayimplement different prize win event detection computer-implementedmethodologies, for example, and also different prize accumulation anddistribution computer-implemented methodologies and schemes.

FIG. 4 is a high-level entity-relationship diagram, illustrating thevarious tables 130 that may be maintained within the databases 58 and/or76, and that are utilized by and support the applications describedabove. A user table 132 contains a record for each registered user ofthe commerce system 42, and may include identifier, address andfinancial instrument information pertaining to each such registereduser. A user may, it will be appreciated, operate as a seller, a buyer,or both, within the commerce system 42. In one example embodiment, abuyer may be a user that has accumulated value (e.g., commercial orproprietary currency), and is then able to exchange the accumulatedvalue for items that are offered for sale by the commerce system 42.

The tables 130 also include an items table 134 in which are maintainedpublication data in the example form of item records for goods andservices that are available to be, or have been, transacted via thecommerce system 42. Each item record within the items table 134 mayfurthermore be linked to one or more user records within the user table132, so as to associate a seller and one or more actual or potentialbuyers with each item record.

A transaction table 136 contains a record for each transaction (e.g., apurchase transaction) pertaining to items for which records exist withinthe items table 134.

Bid records within a bids table 140 each relate to a bid received at thecommerce system 42 in connection with an auction-format listingsupported by an auction application 84. A feedback table 142 is utilizedby one or more reputation applications 90, in one example embodiment, toconstruct and maintain reputation information concerning users. Ahistory table 144 maintains a history of transactions to which a userhas been a party. One or more attributes tables 146 record attributeinformation pertaining to items for which records exist within the itemstable 134, and such attribute information may, in one exampleembodiment, also be considered to be publication data. Considering onlya single example of such an attribute, the attributes tables 146 fourmay indicate a currency attribute associated with a particular item, thecurrency attribute identifying the currency of a price for the relevantitem as specified in by a seller.

A prize opt-in table 150, which is keyed to the items table 134, recordsfor which item records, a publishing user 12 has elected to opt-in to aprize scheme supported by the prize system 64. To this end, the prizeopt-in table 150 may include a flag (or other indication) for eachrecord in the items table 134, indicating whether or not a prize opt-inoption has been exercised by a respective publishing user 12 for theitem record. The data within the prize opt-in table 150 may be writtento this table by an embodiment of a publication module 18, responsive toreceiving a communication from a prize processing module 20 that a prizeopt-in fee 26 has been received from the relevant publishing user 12.

Associated with the prize opt-in table 150 is a conditions table 152,which records conditions with each item record opted-in to the prizescheme. As noted above, such conditions are referenced, in oneembodiment, by the publication module 18 in determining whether topresent an opportunity to win the prize 30 to a viewing user 14. Again,the data within the conditions table 152 may be written into this tableby an embodiment of a publication module 18, based on conditioninformation passed to the publication module 18 by a prize processingmodule 20. The prize processing module 20, in turn, will have receivedthis condition information from a relevant publishing user 12.

Data within the prize opt-in table 150 and the conditions table 152 isreferenced, in one embodiment, by a publication module 18 in determiningwhether to present an opportunity, to a viewing user 14, to win theprize 30, this opportunity being presented by the publication module 18in association with the publication of publication data (e.g., data fromthe items table 134).

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a computer-implemented method 160,according to one example embodiment, to accumulate and allocate prizecontribution values received in conjunction with an opt-in indicationfor a prize scheme to be operated in association with the publication ofdata. The computer-implemented method 160 will be described below inconjunction with a description of a series 180 of interfaces illustratedin FIG. 6, the series 180 of interfaces providing an example manner inwhich various data communications may be effected.

The computer-implemented method 160 commences at block 162 with thereceipt, at the publication module 18, of publication data and anassociated publication fee 22. The publication data and the publicationfee 22 are received from a publishing user 12. The publication data andpublication fee 22 need not of course be received contemporaneously, butcould be received at different steps of an input process to thepublication module 18.

At block 164, the publication module 18 proceeds to allocate thepublication fee 22 to an operator of the publication module (e.g., apublisher 24). Where the publication module 18 forms part of a commercesystem (e.g., the commerce system 42), the publication fee 22 may be alisting fee that the commerce system 42 charges to a publishing user tolist data describing goods and/or services on the commerce system 42,such goods and/or services being made available for transaction by thepublishing user 12. In other embodiments where the publishing module 18forms part of, for example, an email system, the publication fee 22 may,for example, be a monthly subscription that is charged to the publishinguser 12 for email services.

At block 166, the network-based system 10 receives a prize opt-inindication from the publishing user, as well as a prize contributionvalue in the exemplary form of the prize opt-in fee 26. In oneembodiment, both the opt-in indication and the prize opt-in fee 26 arereceived by the prize processing module 20. In other embodiments, theprize opt-in indication could, of course, be received by the publicationmodule 18, which would then communicate receipt of this indication tothe prize processing module 20. The prize opt-in indication is receivedwith respect to a certain instance of publication data received from thepublishing user, thus indicating that the prize opt-in by the publishinguser is in connection with the specific instance of publication data.Accordingly, the prize opt-in indication will be interpreted by thenetwork-based system 10 as an instruction to present an opportunity towin the prize 30 to a viewing user 14, in association with thepublication (e.g., communication) of the respective instance ofpublication data.

At block 168, the network-based system 10, and specifically the prizeprocessing module 20, prompts the publishing user 12 for, and receives,conditions relating to the presentation of a prize opportunity inassociation with the respective instance of publication data. Suchconditions may pertain to the manner of interaction by the viewing user14 with the network-based system 10. For example, where thenetwork-based system 10 comprises a commerce system 42, such conditionsmay be that the opportunity is only presented to a viewing user 14 thathas entered into a transaction process with respect to an item that isthe subject of a listing. To this end, the conditions received from thepublishing user 12 may stipulate that only the highest (or winning)bidder on an auction-based process is presented with the opportunity.Similarly, the received conditions may stipulate that the opportunity isonly presented to a viewing user 14 that has agreed to purchase an itemfor a fixed price. The conditions pertaining to user behaviour couldalso require, for example, the user to view a pre-determined number ofadvertisements presented by the network-based system 10, or perform someother action with respect to the network-based system 10, in order toqualify for the presentation of the prize opportunity.

The conditions may also relate to qualifications of a viewing user 14.Again, in an embodiment in which the network-based system 10 is acommerce system 42, a reputation, transaction history, or other profilecharacteristic may be utilized to qualify a viewing user 14, in terms ofconditions received from the publishing user 12, for the presentation ofthe prize opportunity. Other conditions that may be received from thepublishing user 12 may relate to a time of day (e.g., prizeopportunities are only presented at a certain time), or regarding theregularity of presentation of a prize opportunity (e.g., that a prizeopportunity is presented to every 10^(th) viewer of certain publicationdata, or is presented in a random fashion to viewers of the publicationdata). It will be appreciated that a broad variety of conditions,relating to the presentation of the prize opportunity, may be stipulatedby a publishing user 12.

At block 170, the publication module 18 proceeds to store thepublication data in association with the received prize opt-inindication, and the conditions relating to the presentation of the prizeopportunity. Turning to the exemplary data structures described abovewith reference to FIG. 4, for example, the publication data may bestored as an item record within the items table 134, the prize opt-inindication may be stored as a record within the prize opt-in table 150,and the received conditions may be stored as records within theconditions table 152. The storage of the various data at block 170 maybe performed by the publication module 18, this module 18 havingreceived the required information via the interface 16 and/or from theprize processing module 20.

At block 172, the prize processing module 20 automatically allocates thefirst portion 28 of the prize opt-in fee 26 to the prize 30, thereby togenerate an updated value for the prize 30. At block 174, the prizeprocessing module 20 automatically allocates the second portion 32 ofthe prize opt-in fee 26 to an operator of the prize processing module 20(e.g., the sweepstakes operator 33 shown in FIG. 1). Thecomputer-implemented method 160 then terminates at block 176.

FIG. 6 shows a series 180 of interfaces that may be generated by thenetwork-based system 10, in one example embodiment, during theperformance of various operations at block 162-176, as described above.

The series 180 includes a publication input interface 182, a sweepstakes(prize) interface 184 and a fees interface 186. Turning first to thepublication input interface 182, this interface includes a number ofpublication data input fields 188 into which a publishing user 122 caninput publication data to be transmitted to, and received by, thenetwork-based system 10 for publication to one or more viewing users 14.The publication input interface 182 also includes a number ofpublication enhancement inputs 190, one of which is a prize opt-inoption, in the example form of a sweepstakes opt-in option 192.Specifically, the sweepstakes opt-in option 192 has an associatedcheckbox, which is user selectable by the publishing user 12 to providethe prize opt-in indication to the network-based system 10.

Responsive to user selection of the sweepstakes opt-in option 192, andthe communication of this indication to the network-based system 10, thenetwork-based system 10 may generate and communicate to a computersystem operated by a publishing user 12 the sweepstakes interface 184.The sweepstakes interface 184 includes a data portion 194 providinginformation regarding the prize scheme supported by the network-basedsystem 10, and also provides a number of condition inputs whereby theuser is prompted for, and can provide, conditions relating to thepresentation a prize opportunity. Example condition inputs includequalification inputs 196, utilizing which a publishing user 12 mayspecify qualifications that must be satisfied by a viewing user 14 inorder to be presented with the prize opportunity. Further, the conditioninputs may include a conditions input section 196 utilizing which apublishing user 12 can select from a predetermined list of conditionspresented within the sweepstakes interface 184.

Having provided the inputs to the sweepstake interface 184, the datainput therein may be communicated from a computer system of a publishinguser 12 to the network-based system 10, responsive to which thenetwork-based system 10 may generate, and communicate to the publishinguser 12, the fees interface 186. The fees interface 186 indicates apublication fee 198 and a sweepstakes entry fee 200 which, upon receiptof confirmation from the publishing user, are charged to an account ofthe publishing user 12 (e.g., a funded account maintained by the paymentservers or a bank account maintained with a bank, or an accountmaintained by the network-based system 10 itself).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a computer-implemented method 210,according to an example embodiment of the present invention, to presentthe results of a search conducted against multiple instances ofpublication data in such a manner to visually distinguish thoseinstances of publication data for which the publishing user 12 haselected to opt-in to a prize scheme. The computer-implemented method 210commences at block 212 with the receipt, at the publication module 18 ofthe network-based system 10, of a search query from a viewing user 14.The query, for example, may be a keyword-based query or may be abrowse-based query directed to a category (or other hierarchical) datastructure according to which instances of publication data may beorganized by the publication module 18. In one embodiment where thepublication module 18 is instantiated within the commerce system 42shown at FIG. 2, the query may specifically be serviced by one or moreof the navigation applications 96 described above with reference to FIG.3.

Also, at block 212, the publication module 18 then proceeds to perform asearch of stored publication data (e.g., item records within an itemstable 134) and locates multiple instances of the publication data thatsatisfy the query.

At decision block 214, the publication module 18 determines whether, foreach of the instances of publication data, whether the publishing user12 exercised an option to opt-in to the prize scheme. Again, in anexample embodiment, an embodiment of the publication module 18 mayreference the prize opt-in table 150 to determine whether a particularitem record has been associated with a prize-opt-in by the relevantpublishing user 12.

In the event that a particular instance of publication data has beenopted-in to the prize scheme, at block 216 the publication module 18visually distinguishes an identifier, for the relevant instance ofpublication data, in a search result communication.

On the other hand, should it be determined, for a particular instance ofthe publication data at decision block 214 that the relevant instancehas not been opted-in to the prize scheme, at block 218, the publicationmodule 18 includes an identifier for the relevant instance ofpublication data in the search result communication in a manner that isnot visually distinguished. Referring to the operations performed atblocks 216 and 218, it will be appreciated that the computer-implementedmethod 210 seeks to visually differentiate the identifiers for instancesof publication data that have been opted-in to the prize scheme fromthose that have not. This could of course be done by marking, orotherwise identifying, instances that have not been opted-in, in thismanner to visually distinguish identifiers for those instances ofpublication data that have been opted-in.

The computer-implemented method 210 then progresses to block 220, wherethe publication module 18 presents the search result communication tothe viewing user 14 from which the original query originated. Again, thesearch result communication may be a “push” communication (e.g., anemail, IM message, SMS message etc.) or a “pull” communication (e.g., anHTML document, Word document, PDF document etc.) that is sent to theviewing user 14 responsive to a specific request therefore. An examplesearch result communication in the form of an interface 262 is shown inFIG. 9 as part of a series 260 of HTML-based interfaces that may bepresented to a user by the publication module 18. As shown in FIG. 9,the search result interface 262 shows details 268 of a search queryreceived at the publication module 18, as well as search results 270.The search results 270 include identifiers for each located instance ofpublication data. It will be further noted that the identifier 272, foran instance of publication data that has been opted-in to the prizescheme, is visually distinguished by a “sweepstakes” icon 274 from anidentifier 276 for an instance of publication data that has not beenopted-in to the prize scheme. The display of the “sweepstakes” icon 274is merely one example of a manner in which an identifier for an instanceof publication data may be visually distinguished. It will also be notedfrom FIG. 9 that the search result interface 262 provides a currentprize value, in the form of a current sweepstakes jackpot cumulativeprize value indication 278.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a computer-implemented method 230,according to an example embodiment of the present invention, to publishdata in association with an opportunity to win a prize, to detect aprize-winning event, and to allocate a prize, in an automated manner, inaccordance with a programmed structure of a prize scheme. Thecomputer-implemented method 230 commences at block 232 with thepublication module 18 electronically publishing publication data, onbehalf of a publishing user 12, to one or more viewing users. Referringagain to FIG. 9, this publication of the publication data may, forexample, be in the form of a publication output interface 264 that isgenerated and communicated to a viewing user 14, responsive to receivinginput, at the publication module 18, from the viewing user 14identifying a selection of the identifier (e.g., hypertext link) 272.

Dealing more specifically with the publication output interface 264, theinterface is shown to include one or more instances 280 of publicationdata. Further, in an example embodiment in which the publication module18 is instantiated within the context of a commerce system 42, theinterface may also facilitate interaction with one or more price-settingmechanisms. For example, an interface component 282 may facilitateaccess to a fixed-price purchase mechanism, and interface component 284may provide access to an auction price purchase mechanism.

Further, where an instance 280 of the publication data has been opted-into the prize scheme, prize information 286 is also included within thepublication output interface 264. In the example shown in FIG. 9, theprize information 286 indicates that a fixed-price purchaser of an itemdescribed by the publication data 280, or a highest bidder for such anitem, may qualify for an opportunity to win a prize, in the example formof sweepstakes entry. The publication output interface 264 is againshown to include a current prize value information in the form of acurrent sweepstakes jackpot cumulative value 278.

The interface 264 shown in FIG. 9, it will be appreciated, is generatedresponsive to the selection of the identifier 272 for publication datathat has been opted-in to the prize scheme. On the other hand, should anidentifier for publication data that has not been opted-in to the prizescheme be selected (e.g., should identifier 276 be selected), theinformation 286 and 278 shown to form part of the publication outputinterface 264 would be omitted by the publication module 18 from thisinterface 264.

Returning to FIG. 8, at decision block 234, the network-based system 10determines whether the publication data, published at block 232, hasbeen opted-in to the prize scheme. If not, the computer-implementedmethod 230 hen proceeds to immediately terminate at block 252, andpublication of the publication data may be handled by the publicationmodule 18 independently of any functions provided by the prizeprocessing module 20.

On the other hand, should the relevant publication data be determined atdecision block 234 to have been opted-in to the prize scheme, thecomputer-implemented method 230 proceeds to block 236, where thepublication module 18 proceeds to retrieve conditions, specified by apublishing user 12, in connection with the publication data for theassociated presentation of a prize-winning opportunity. For example,these conditions may specify that the prize-winning opportunity bepresented to a fixed-price purchaser or a highest bidder for an itemthat is described by the publication data.

Having retrieved information reflecting the conditions for thepresentation of the prize winning opportunity, the publication module18, at decision block 238, performs a continual monitoring to determinewhether these conditions have been satisfied. In the absence of theconditions being satisfied, the computer-implemented method 230 maycontinue to process, at block 240, further events with respect to thepublication data. For example, a certain process flow may need to occurprior to the satisfaction of the conditions, or the satisfaction of theconditions may hinge on an event occurring that is somewhat separated intime from the publication of the publication data. The conditions, forexample, may specify that a purchaser provide a payment for an item to aseller utilising a pre-determined payment service. The determinationthat these conditions have been satisfied may occur at a time later thanthe publication of the publication data that occurs at block 232.Accordingly, the publication module 18 may thus interact, via theinterface 16, with other services of computer systems (e.g., an externalpayment service) to determine whether the stipulated conditions havebeen satisfied.

If it is determined at decision block 238 that the conditions have beensatisfied, the computer-implemented method 230 progresses to block 242where the prize processing module 20 interacts with the publicationmodule 18 to electronically present the prize opportunity, associatedwith the publication data, to the viewing user 14. While thepresentation of the prize opportunity in association with thepublication data may occur through the publication of the publicationdata and the presentation of the prize opportunity as a continuous flow,this need not necessarily be the case, and the association between thepublication data and the presentation of the prize opportunity may beachieve in a number of other ways. For example, the association may beachieved through the identification, in the presentation of the prizeopportunity, of the publication data.

The publication module 18 may, at block 242, also present a number ofopportunities to win the prize in conjunction with a number ofpublications of the publication data, respectively. The number ofopportunities presented by the publication module 18 may in this case bedependent upon the prize contribution value received from the publishinguser. For example, the application module 18 may present prize-winningopportunities to the first 5 viewers of a listing where the relevantpublishing user 12 paid a $50 price contribution value, and may presentprize-winning opportunities to the first 10 viewers of a further listingwhere the relevant publishing user 12 paid a $100 price contributionvalue.

Again referencing FIG. 9, the series 260 of interfaces is shown toinclude a prize presentation interface 266, which may, in an exampleembodiment, present the prize opportunity to the viewing user inassociation with the publication data. The association between thepublication data and the opportunity presented in the interface 266 maybe achieved, for example, through the inclusion of both the interfaces264 and 266 in a flow. Further, the interface 266 is shown to includeitem identification information 288, which forms part of the publicationdata 280. The interface 266 is also shown to include prize opportunityinformation 290, advising the viewing user 14 of the details of theprize scheme, and the presentation of the opportunity. For example,where the prize scheme is a sweepstake lottery, the viewing user 14 maybe advised that they have been allocated an entry (possibly subject tothe satisfaction of further conditions) into the sweepstakes scheme andthat a winner of the sweepstakes scheme will be determined at somefuture time. To this end, the interface 266 is shown to include asweepstakes entry number 292.

It should also be noted that presentation of the opportunity at block242 may not result in a final allocation of the opportunity (e.g. asweepstakes entry) as further conditions may have been stipulated by thepublishing user that need to be satisfied prior to the final allocationof the prize opportunity. For example, the information 290 may identifya number of further conditions to be satisfied by the viewing user 14prior to the final allocation, of the opportunity. For example, theviewing user 14 may be required to utilise a predetermined paymentservice, or make payment for a purchased item within a predeterminedtime, in order to finally qualify for the prize opportunity.Accordingly, upon the satisfaction of these conditions, thecomputer-implemented method 230 may, at block 244, perform a finalallocation of the prize opportunity to the viewing user 14, assumingthat all conditions for both the presentation and the allocation of theprize-winning opportunity have been satisfied by the viewing user 14.The conditions for the presentation of the prize winning opportunity,and the conditions for the allocation of the prize winning opportunitymay be different and each of these conditions may need to be satisfiedfor a final allocation.

At decision block 246, the prize processing module 20 operates todetermine whether the viewing user 14 is a prize winner, in terms of therelevant prize scheme. For example, where the prize scheme is asweepstakes lottery, a “drawing” of a winning entry may occur at apredetermined time. Alternatively, where the prize scheme is an “instantwin” scheme, the viewing user 14 may have instantly exercised the prizewinning opportunity, the prize processing module 20 in this case beingimmediately able to determine whether the viewing user 14 is a prizewinner or not. In the event that the viewing user 14 is not determinedto be a prize winner, the computer-implemented method 230 proceeds toterminate at block 252.

On the other hand, should the viewing user 14 be identified as a winnerof the prize 30, the computer-implemented method 230 progresses to block248 where the prize processing module 20 may communicate with thepublication module 18 to advise the viewing user 14 of his or her goodfortune. Further, at block 248, the prize processing module 20 thenallocates a first portion 34 of the value of the prize 30 to the viewinguser 14, and at block 250 allocates the second portion 36 of the valueof the prize 30 to the relevant publishing user 12. The allocations ofthe first and second portions 34 and 36 may be performed by the prizeprocessing module 20 interfacing with one or more financialinstitutions, via the interface 16, to effect the transfer of fundsbetween a prize account operated by, for example the sweepstakesoperator 33, and accounts held by the relevant publishing and viewingusers 12 and 14.

FIG. 10 illustrates a series of interfaces 294 that may be generated by,and communicated from, the publication module 18 to a viewing user 14,in one example embodiment of the computer-implemented method 230discussed above with reference to FIG. 8, where the prize scheme is an“instant win” scheme. Specifically, a prize presentation interface 295serves to advise the viewing user 14 of qualification for the “instantwin” prize opportunity, and that he/she may exercise the opportunity byselecting an “instant win” button that is presented within theinterface. In the event that the viewing user 14 is determined by theprize processing module 20 to be a prize winner (e.g., at block 246 ofthe computer-implemented method 230), a publication module 18, inconjunction with the prize processing module 20, presents a wininterface 296 to the viewing user 14. The winning interface 296 is shownto congratulate the viewing user 14 on their win, and also to providethem with information regarding the allocation of the prize 30, asdescribed above.

On the other hand, should the viewing user 14 not be determined to be awinner following user selection of the “instant win” button, a loseinterface 297 is then communicated to the viewing user 14. In oneembodiment, even though the viewing user 14 may not have won the prize30, the prize processing module 20 may award a consolation prize to theuser 14. In this event, the lose interface 297 may include anotification to the viewing user 14 of an award of the consolation prize(e.g., a T-shirt or the like).

From the above, it will be appreciated that the embodiments of theinvention address various technical problems that are presented by theconcurrent operation of a publication system (e.g., the commerce system42) and on a prize processing system (e.g., prize system 64).Specifically, through the use of messaging, and the utilisation of acommon database, in certain example embodiments, the computationaldemands on computer systems supporting publication and prize processingare reduced. Further, through the integration of the publication and theprize processing operations, the number of communications to bothpublishing users 12 and viewing users 14 may be reduced, this serving toreduce network traffic, and enhance network congestion.

FIG. 11 shows an HTML-based search result interface 302 that may bepresented to a user by the publication module 18, in a further exampleembodiment of the present invention in which the publication module 18is operated as part of a search engine that publishes search results inconjunction with paid-placement advertisements. As shown in FIG. 9, thesearch result interface 302 shows a search query 304 received at thepublication module 18, as well as search results 306. The search results306 include identifiers (e.g., hypertext links) for each locatedinstance of data located based on the search query 304.

The search results 306 are shown in conjunction with a collection ofpaid-placement advertisements 308, for which an operator of thepublication module 18 received publication and placement payments. Forexample, the advertiser for “advert 1” would have paid more than theadvertiser for “advert 3” in order to have “advert 1” appear more highlyplaced than “advert 3” within the search result interface 302.

In order to further enhance the likelihood that a viewing user 14 willelect to “click-through” an advertisement, an advertiser may, withrespect to a particular advertisement, opt in to a prize scheme in termsof which a prize opportunity is presented to a viewing user 14 thatclicks through the advertisement, or that takes a predetermined actionat a click-through destination (e.g., that purchases a product at theclick-through destination). In one embodiment, where the click-throughdestination is a multi-seller marketplace (e.g., eBay.com), theadvertisement 308 may relate to a particular product/service listingthat is published via a marketplace platform. In this case, the requireduser action at the click-through destination may be with respect to thatparticular product/service listing. In another embodiment, where theclick-through destination is a single-seller commerce location (e.g.,Amazon.com), the required user action at the click-through destinationmay be with respect to the location itself (e.g., performance of aspecific action or activity within the Amazon.com domain), as opposed toan activity with respect to a particular product or service offering.

Returning to FIG. 11, an advertisement 308 that has been opted-in to theprize scheme is visually distinguished by a sweepstakes icon 310 from anadvertisement 312 that has not been opted-in to the prize scheme. Thedisplay of the “sweepstakes” icon 310 is merely one example of a mannerin which an advertisement may be visually distinguished. It will also benoted from FIG. 11 that the search result interface 302 provides acurrent prize value, in the form of a current sweepstakes jackpotcumulative prize value indication.

FIG. 12 shows a diagrammatic representation of machine in the exampleform of a computer system 400 within which a set of instructions, forcausing the machine to perform any one or more of thecomputer-implemented methodologies discussed herein, may be executed. Inalternative embodiments, the machine operates as a standalone device ormay be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient machine in server-client network environment, or as a peermachine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. Themachine may be a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box(STB), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a webappliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable ofexecuting a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specifyactions to be taken by that machine. Further, while only a singlemachine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken toinclude any collection of machines that individually or jointly executea set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more ofthe computer-implemented methodologies discussed herein.

The example computer system 400 includes a processor 402 (e.g., acentral processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU) orboth), a main memory 404 and a static memory 406, which communicate witheach other via a bus 408. The computer system 400 may further include avideo display unit 410 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or acathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system 400 also includes analphanumeric input device 412 (e.g., a keyboard), a user interface (UI)navigation device 414 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 416, a signalgeneration device 418 (e.g., a speaker) and a network interface device420.

The disk drive unit 416 includes a machine-readable medium 422 on whichis stored one or more sets of instructions and data structures (e.g.,software 424) embodying or utilized by any one or more of thecomputer-implemented methodologies or functions described herein. Thesoftware 424 may also reside, completely or at least partially, withinthe main memory 404 and/or within the processor 402 during executionthereof by the computer system 400, the main memory 404 and theprocessor 402 also constituting machine-readable media.

The software 424 may further be transmitted or received over a network426 via the network interface device 420 utilizing any one of a numberof well-known transfer protocols (e.g., HTTP).

While the machine-readable medium 422 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should betaken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralizedor distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) thatstore the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of thecomputer-implemented methodologies of the present invention, or that iscapable of storing, encoding or carrying data structures utilized by orassociated with such a set of instructions. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to,solid-state memories, optical and magnetic media, and carrier wavesignals.

Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described withreference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident thatvarious modifications and changes may be made to these embodimentswithout departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

1. A system including: an interface to receive: publication data at acomputer system and from a publishing user, the publication data to bepublished by the computer system; a prize contribution value, at thecomputer system and from the publishing user, in exchange for apresentation to a viewing user of an opportunity to win a prize, theopportunity to win the prize to be presented by the computer system inconjunction with the publication of the publication data; and apublication module to electronically publish the publication data onbehalf of the publishing user to the viewing user, and electronically topresent the opportunity to win the prize to the viewing user inconjunction with the publication of the publication data.
 2. The systemof claim 1, wherein the prize is a cumulative prize and the systemincludes a prize processing module to calculate a value of thecumulative prize based on a cumulative contribution of prizecontribution values received from a plurality of publishing users. 3.The system of claim 2, wherein the interface is to receive furtherpublication data at the computer system from the plurality of publishingusers, and is to receive, from the plurality of publishing users, theprize contribution values on which the value of the cumulative prize isbased.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the publication module is toelectronically present a number of opportunities to win the prize inconjunction with the publication of the publication data, the number ofopportunities presented by the publication module being dependent uponthe prize contribution value.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein thepublication data comprises a listing for an item sought to be transactedby the publishing user.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the interfaceis to receive, from the publishing user, a publication value in exchangefor the publication of the publication data by the computer system. 7.The system of claim 1, wherein the computer system comprises anetwork-based publication system.
 8. The system of claim 2, wherein theprize processing module is to allocate a first portion of the prizecontribution value received from the publishing user to the value of thecumulative prize, and to allocate a second portion of the prizecontribution value received from the publishing user to a prize schemeoperator.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the interface is to receive,from the publishing user, a condition under which the publication moduleis electronically to present the opportunity to win the prize to theviewing user of the computer system.
 10. The system of claim 9, whereinthe condition pertains to a manner in which the viewing user transactsto purchase an item related to the publication data.
 11. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the condition pertains to a qualification of theviewing user.
 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the publication moduleis to present the opportunity to win the prize to the viewing userresponsive to the viewing user complying with the condition.
 13. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the opportunity to win the prize comprises anentry into a lottery scheme.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein theopportunity to win the prize comprises an instant win opportunity, interms of which the viewing user instantly determines whether the prizehas been won.
 15. The system of claim 2, wherein the prize processingmodule is automatically to determine that a viewing user has won thecumulative prize, and is to allocate at least a first portion of thevalue of cumulative prize to the viewing user.
 16. The system of claim15, wherein the prize processing module is automatically to allocate atleast a second portion of the value of the cumulative prize to thepublishing user.
 17. The system of claim 1, wherein the publicationmodule is to present the value of the prize to a viewing user.
 18. Thesystem of claim 2, wherein the prize processing module, responsive tothe receipt of the prize contribution value from the publishing user, isautomatically to allocate at least a first portion of the prizecontribution value to the value of the cumulative prize, therebygenerating an updated value of the cumulative prize, the publicationmodule automatically to present the updated value of the cumulativeprize in real-time.
 19. The system of claim 1, wherein the publicationmodule is to display the value of the prize in association with thepublication data, responsive to the receipt of the prize contributionvalue from the publishing user.
 20. The system of claim 1, wherein thepublication module, responsive to the receipt of the prize contributionvalue from the publishing user, is to visually distinguish thepublication data from other publication data for which no prizecontribution value was received.
 21. A computer-implemented methodincluding: receiving publication data at a computer system from apublishing user, the publication data to be published by the computersystem; receiving, from the publishing user, a prize contribution valuein exchange for a presentation to a viewing user of an opportunity towin a prize, the opportunity to win the prize to be presented by thecomputer system to the viewing user in conjunction with the publicationof the publication data; electronically publishing the publication data,by the computer system, on behalf of the publishing user to the viewinguser; and electronically presenting the opportunity to win the prize tothe viewing user in conjunction with the publication of the publicationdata.
 22. The computer-implemented method of claim 21, wherein the prizeis a cumulative prize and, wherein a value of the cumulative prize isbased on a cumulative contribution of prize contribution values receivedfrom a plurality of publishing users.
 23. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 22, including receiving further publication data at thecomputer system from the plurality of publishing users, and receiving,from the plurality of publishing users, the prize contribution values onwhich the value of the cumulative prize is based.
 24. Thecomputer-implemented method of claimed 21, including presenting a numberof opportunities to win the prize in conjunction with a number ofpublications of the publication data, respectively, the number ofopportunities presented being dependent upon the prize contributionvalue.
 25. The computer-implemented method of claim 21, wherein thepublication data comprises a listing for an item sought to be transactedby the publishing user.
 26. The computer-implemented method of claim 21,including receiving, from the publishing user, a publication value inexchange for the publication of the publication data by the computersystem.
 27. The computer-implemented method of claim 21, wherein thecomputer system comprises a network-based publication system.
 28. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 22, including, at the computersystem, allocating a first portion of the prize contribution valuereceived from the publishing user to the value of the cumulative prize,and allocating a second portion of the prize contribution value receivedfrom the publishing user to a prize scheme operator.
 29. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 21, including receiving, from thepublishing user, a condition under which the computer system is toelectronically present the opportunity to win the prize to the viewinguser of the computer system.
 30. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 29, wherein the condition pertains to a manner in which theviewing user transacts to purchase an item related to the publicationdata.
 31. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein thecondition pertains to a qualification of the viewing user.
 32. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 21, wherein the opportunity to winthe prize is presented to the viewing user responsive to the viewinguser complying with a condition related to the publication data.
 33. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 21, wherein the opportunity to winthe prize comprises an entry into a sweepstakes scheme.
 34. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 21, wherein the opportunity to winthe prize comprises an instant win opportunity, in terms of which theviewing user instantly determines whether the prize has been won. 35.The computer-implemented method of claim 21, including determining thatthe viewing user has won the prize, and allocating at least a firstportion of the value of the prize to the viewing user.
 36. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 21, including allocating at least asecond portion of the value of the prize to the publishing user.
 37. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 21, including presenting, via thecomputer system, the value of the prize to the viewing user.
 38. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 22, including, responsive to thereceipt of the prize contribution value from the publishing user,allocating at least a first portion of the prize contribution value tothe value of the cumulative prize, thereby generating an updated valueof the cumulative prize, the computer-implemented method furtherincluding presenting the updated value of the cumulative prize inreal-time.
 39. The computer-implemented method of claim 21, wherein thevalue of the prize is displayed in association with the publicationdata, responsive to the receipt of the prize contribution value from thepublishing user.
 40. The computer-implemented method of claim 21,wherein, responsive to the receipt of the prize contribution value fromthe publishing user, the publication data is visually distinguish fromother publication data, as published by the computer system, for whichno prize contribution value was received.
 41. A machine-readable mediumembodying a set of instructions that, when executed by a machine, causethe machine to perform the computer-implemented method of claim
 21. 42.A system including: first means for receiving: publication data from apublishing user; and a prize contribution value, at the computer systemand from the publishing user, in exchange for a presentation of anopportunity to win a cumulative prize, the opportunity to win thecumulative prize to be presented by the computer system in conjunctionwith the publication of the publication data; second means forelectronically publishing the publication data on behalf of thepublishing user, and for electronically presenting the opportunity towin the cumulative prize in conjunction with the publication of thepublication data, wherein a value of the cumulative prize is based on acumulative contribution of prize contribution values received from aplurality of publishing users.